"What in the World?" - Week of Dec 17-23, 2017

THIS world leader praised President Trump and his achievements, especially in boosting the U.S. economy, in a four-hour press conference last week.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Russian President Vladimir Putin

French President Emmanuel Macron

British Prime Minister Theresa May

US Secretary of State Tillerson told the press THIS was the current American position vis a vis North Korea.

Renewed negotiations on North Korean compliance with Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NNPT).

�Sustained cessation” of weapon testing before talks.

Verifiable commitment to the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

Release detailed American citizens before negotiations resume on nuclear weapons.

Despite friction in the bilateral relationship the United States and Russia continue to work together on the International Space Station (ISS). This week an American and a Russian were launched from the space port in Kazakhstan to the ISS along with a third crew member from THIS country.

Japan

France

China

Brazil

Theresa May achieved a breakthrough last week with EU negotiators to complete the opening round of Brexit talks that will allow for the main deliberations to proceed. However, EU negotiator Michael Barnier commented that in return for London’s desired for a two-year Brexit transition phase, stability while a trade agreement is put together and keeping single market membership, the UK -- among other “wrinkles” – would:

Allow Northern Ireland and Scotland to remain in the European Union.

Maintain open borders for labor movement.

Agree to adopt the Euro as the British currency.

Agree to be bound by all EU rules including ones not yet made, without having a say on making them.

Observers are noting an impact on banks, businesses and stock markets in Saudi Arabia resulting from:

The ballistic missile attack – with a weapon claimed to be provided by Iran – against Riyadh by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The early November roundup of business people, ministers and princes said to be part of anti-corruption measures.

The privatization measures contained in the Vision 2030 doctrine being championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The continuation of depressed global crude oil market prices.

In a summit meeting last week THIS organization condemned President Trump’s recent move about recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and declared its own recognition of East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.

The League of Arab States

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation

The Joint Union of Middle East States

The Mahgreb Union

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday said the United States demanded THIS action by the Government of Myanmar.

Repatriation of 600,000 Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh who were driven from their homes by government-backed militias.

Extradition of Major General Maung Maung Soe to the International Criminal Court.

Direct payment to Bangladesh and other regional states who were absorbing the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeting Myanmar.

Immediate release or details about the detention of two Reuters journalists covering the atrocities against the Rohingya minority.

European far-right leaders who met in Prague to coordinate their positions on immigration and other common issues were met by protests against populism and xenophobia. Among the officials joined together in the so-called Europe of Nations and Freedom coalition were these members EXCEPT:

Marine LePen of France

Tomio Okamura of the Czech Republic

Binali Yildirim of Turkey

Gert Wilders of the Netherlands

THIS leader took a victory lap in Syria calling for a consolidation of military gains into a multilateral agreement and staking a claim for a role in future talks on the country’s future.

President Bashar Assad of Syria

President Hassan Rouhani of Iran

President Vladimir Putin of Russia

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah

Last week Reuters reported “China is lavishing vast amounts of aid on a small Pakistani fishing town [Gwadar] to win over locals and build a commercial deep-water port that the United States and India suspect may also one day serve the Chinese navy.” Beijing and Islamabad see Chinese investment in Pakistani infrastructure as part of a strategic project known as THIS:

�Belt and Road Initiative”

�Great Leap Forward”

�Repaving the Silk Road”

�Vision 2030”

"What in the World?" - Week of Dec 17-23, 2017

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